Elevated level of cholesterol is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Community pharmacies are considered as ideal settings to provide screening services for chronic medical conditions. An adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards cholesterol screening would increase pharmacist's involvement in cholesterol lowering interventions and referrals. The objective of this study was to assess community pharmacists' knowledge, attitude and resource availability in relation to cholesterol screening in Delta State, Nigeria. A 33 item pre tested self-administered questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.628 was distributed to all 160 community pharmacists in Delta State. The questionnaire items assessed knowledge, attitude and available resources in relation to cholesterol screening. Categorical data was expressed as frequency and percentages. Chi-square test was performed to explore relationship between demographic variables and pharmacist's knowledge. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. More than half (64.7%) of community pharmacist were knowledgeable in relation to cholesterol and its influence on cardiovascular diseases. Cholesterol screening services were provided by only 11.3% community pharmacies in Delta State. Majority (82%) were willing to be trained in the use of cholesterol meter. Nearly half, 42.9% had a negative attitude towards cholesterol screening. Pharmacist's knowledge about cholesterol and its influence in cardiovascular diseases was satisfactory. However, attitude towards cholesterol screening was largely negative and provision of such services was very low.
The most common causes of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) are Helicobacter pylori infection and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Treatment choices include standard triple therapy. This study evaluated the patterns of prevalence, life-style risk factors and correlates of management of PUD among Staff and Students of Delta State University, Abraka Campus, Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional study was initiated among 450 willing staff and student respondents. A total of 126 respondents that had been diagnosed for PUD were further evaluated for prevalence and patterns, confounding life-style factors, drug therapy and other correlates of PUD management by using self-designed, pre-tested questionnaires that addressed the objectives of the study. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version16.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago Illinois). Duodenal Ulcer (DU) had a higher prevalence than Gastric Ulcer (GU) in a ratio of 1.5:1. The prevalence of GU was higher among Staff, Males and those older than 35 years; DU had a higher prevalence among the Students, Females and 16-35 yrs age group. The greatest lifestyle risk factors identified were consumption of NSAIDs, Tobacco and Alcohol. Regarding drug treatment, over 90% of drugs prescribed were antibiotics; nearly all respondents claimed to experience side-effects which included Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain and Headache; nearly all respondents often adhered to instructions to avoid Alcohol. In this population, PUD prevalence and pattern was structured along gender and age. There were issues with lifestyles which could have contributed to the pathophysiology of PUD. Patients experienced some side-effects that affected adherence to instructions. Management seemed appropriate with the use of triple therapies. However, there is still a dire need for strategic health education on PUD risk factors and self-care practices.
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